My DD will only sleep for a max 40 mins. without intervention during the day. She's not a terrible night sleeper (although not great either). She usually goes down between 7-8pm and will sleep until 7-8am, with a minimum of 3-4 times waking up to nurse. Some nights she wakes up a lot more often than that. I've been trying to work on her naps since I know that sleep begets sleep and she also seems to be mostly able to go to 2 naps a day now.
She was never a great napper right from birth. She used to nap in her swing, but even then would only give me 30-40 mins. She will rarely fall asleep in her ERGO or stroller and even when she does, won't nap there more than 40 mins, even if I'm walking the whole time. When she's awake, she's wide awake and ready to go. She doesn't usually fight naps too long (although sometimes she does). I either rock her to sleep or nurse her.
I've read the NCSS and NCNS and have tried just about everything. We have a short nap routine. We have consistent nap times (not rigidly structured, but I followed her sleepy cues for awhile). She naps in a cosy, warm, dark environment (same as nighttime). Her morning nap is around 9-10 ish (depending on when she woke up for the day and never more than 2 hours after her wake up time). When she was taking 3 naps a day, I put her down for a nap every 2-2/12 hours, because that's when she seemed sleepy. It doesn't seem to make any difference at all if I lie beside her in the bed.
The only thing that I have found works is if I give her a "dream feed" at the 30 min. mark. She will then sleep for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours. I usually now do this in the afternoon and then she can do a 2-3-4 schedule with only 2 naps. However, I find that I have to catch her at just the right moment and put my hands just so and keep extra quiet and hope the wind is blowing the right way, if you know what I mean. I don't generally mind doing this now. I do get to rest some with her, although not usually sleep unfortunately since I'm watching the clock to make sure I don't miss the magic time to keep her napping.
But I'm wondering if she will eventually be able to nap longer without intervention. Will her sleep cycles eventually lengthen out naturally? At what point does that usually happen? Is there anything else I can be doing to encourage longer naps (and therefore a happier baby!)?
Thanks!
She was never a great napper right from birth. She used to nap in her swing, but even then would only give me 30-40 mins. She will rarely fall asleep in her ERGO or stroller and even when she does, won't nap there more than 40 mins, even if I'm walking the whole time. When she's awake, she's wide awake and ready to go. She doesn't usually fight naps too long (although sometimes she does). I either rock her to sleep or nurse her.
I've read the NCSS and NCNS and have tried just about everything. We have a short nap routine. We have consistent nap times (not rigidly structured, but I followed her sleepy cues for awhile). She naps in a cosy, warm, dark environment (same as nighttime). Her morning nap is around 9-10 ish (depending on when she woke up for the day and never more than 2 hours after her wake up time). When she was taking 3 naps a day, I put her down for a nap every 2-2/12 hours, because that's when she seemed sleepy. It doesn't seem to make any difference at all if I lie beside her in the bed.
The only thing that I have found works is if I give her a "dream feed" at the 30 min. mark. She will then sleep for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours. I usually now do this in the afternoon and then she can do a 2-3-4 schedule with only 2 naps. However, I find that I have to catch her at just the right moment and put my hands just so and keep extra quiet and hope the wind is blowing the right way, if you know what I mean. I don't generally mind doing this now. I do get to rest some with her, although not usually sleep unfortunately since I'm watching the clock to make sure I don't miss the magic time to keep her napping.
But I'm wondering if she will eventually be able to nap longer without intervention. Will her sleep cycles eventually lengthen out naturally? At what point does that usually happen? Is there anything else I can be doing to encourage longer naps (and therefore a happier baby!)?
Thanks!
